Victor passed away this evening, at 4:48pm. As I’m sure many of you know, Victor has lived with various forms of pain most his life. This year he came to the end of medical solutions that would keep him alive with what he would describe as “fair control” of his pain. Given a diagnosis of dementia that was advancing faster than anyone would have expected and no control for his physical pain, he made the decision to use MAID, Medical Assistance in Dying, at the Central Okanagan Hospice today.
He leaves behind a wonderful family – his sister Marg, his kids, Alden, Theo and Bronwyn, and all of their families – and of course, Leo and I, and my family.
This isn’t an obituary – that will come later in conjunction with Marg, Alden, Theo and Bronwyn. This is just a notice to let you know he’s gone. We all loved him dearly, and it’s going to take some time to come to terms with the hole in our lives that he doesn’t fill anymore.
Incredible as this may seem, once he knew he was going to die, Victor wrote another book – his second this year. Mein Todesbuch – My Deathbook – is finished, and is in the final stages of editing, to be published in the New Year. Victor even planned its launch – April 4th, 2026, the day after his birthday, in Winnipeg – more details closer to the date!
The hospice is half a block from our home, so we rolled there with Leo. We were early, of course, so we took some photos outside. It’s hard to believe that the man with that massive smile was going inside to die. Leo and I are wandering around the condo trying to work out what to do with ourselves without him. When we know what we are going to do, we will let you know.
Michelle